Manufacturing Building - Building A
The building of origin was a two story, wood and metal pole style structure used
for boat manufacturing. Measuring 300 by 150 feet, the north and south ends were open,
and railway tracks ran through the building through the open ends. Yachts were moved
on the railway tracks within the building and outside to storage located on the north side
of the building. An open mezzanine, approximately 15 feet above grade, ran on both
sides of the building from north to south.
The roof of the manufacturing building was of wood truss construction; several
termite damaged trusses had previously been cut away from the center of the building
span and steel I-beams had been placed across the open span. Steel straps had been
installed around the remaining I-beams and the remaining trusses. The I-beams were
supported by the original creosoted pole columns.
A paint booth was situated on the west side of the building, under the mezza -
nine. An electrical circuit box was located in the mezzanine area on the far west end.
At the time of the fire, two 100-foot yachts under construction were located in
the two west end bays of Building A.
Assembly Building - Building B
Adjoining the manufacturing building to the east was a two story in height, wood
and metal building used for the final assembly and rigging of yachts under construction.
This assembly building measured 100 x 140 feet. Two yachts were stored in Building B
at the time of the fire. Both of these yachts were surrounded by wooden scaffolding. A
finished yacht had been moved to the yard outside, just to the east of Building B.
Approximately six years prior, a wall had been constructed separating Building
A from Building B and Building C to the east. The wall was intended as a two-hour fire
wall; however, there were windows opening from the mezzanine level of Building A
over the roof of Building B.
Office Building - Building C
A two story building (Building C) adjoined Building B to the south. This build -
ing, measuring 100 x 45 feet, was of unprotected wood construction and housed the
facility's main offices.
Next » The Manufacturing Operation
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